Former Australian captain Michael Clarke made a bold claim about Usman Khawaja’s future as an international cricketer. Clarke believes Khawaja has earned the right to retire on his own terms and should announce his retirement after the fifth Test against India in Sydney.
Khawaja has not been at his best in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The left-handed opener struggled to face Jasprit Bumrah against the new ball throughout series until now. With one test remaining, he is running out of time to prove himself.
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Michael Clarke wants Usman Khawaja to retire after Sydney Test
While speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast, Michael Clarke spoke about Usman Khawaja’s recent form with the bat and feels he should announce his retirement after the Sydney Test against India as it is also his home ground.
“This is Uzzie’s (Usman Khawaja) home Test match, the SCG. He was an amazing player, an absolutely amazing player. Come back, score overseas, score in Australia. He’s 38, I think it could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announces his retirement and Sydney will be his final test,” Clarke said.
Usman Khawaja is likely to open the batting along with the youngsters Konstas himself in the fifth Test of the series in Sydney. Khawaja and Konstas put on 89 runs for the first wicket in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. Khawaja scored 57 and 21 in both innings of the match.
Michael Clarke wants a new opening pair for Australia
Michael Clarke also revealed the reason why he wants Usman Khawaja to announce his retirement. Australia have their next series away to Sri Lanka and Clarke wants a young player to be opened before next year’s Ashes series.
“I know he would like to keep playing. His form has not been as good as he would have liked during this series. I know we have the trip to Sri Lanka and then we have the Ashes,” Clarke noted.
“There’s a lot of cricket in between but I also think it could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test cricket before the first Ashes Test,” he added.
Clarke feels Khawaja has earned the right to retire on his own terms after some incredible performances over the years. He feels it will be perfect for him to retire on home turf in front of his family.
“Uzzie has earned the right to do his thing. But I just thought this might be the perfect time for him to finish on his own terms. In front of family and friends, a Test match in Sydney, what a great opportunity,” concluded the former Australian captain.
Usman Khawaja in BGT 2024-25
Usman Khawaja has been a vital part of the Australian Test team for years. The 38-year-old has scored 5592 runs at an average of 44.38 in the 77 Tests he has played so far with 15 hundreds and 27 fifties.
However, he has struggled for runs in the ongoing series where he has amassed just 141 runs in four Tests at an average of just 20.14. He scored only 150 in this series which happened in the last Test match in Melbourne.
